Glamorgan Wanderers 12 v 28 Whites
31 Oct 2009 - Memorial Ground
Swansea continued their impressive start to the season with a hard fought win over Glamorgan Wanderers at a heavy Memorial Ground. The Whites handed a long awaited debut to American full back Hanno Dirksen after he had his international clearance but it was David Watts who led by example with a try and some typical bursts through the middle.
The Wanderers were determined to put down an early marker and a mini break by Dan Fish earned them a penalty after the visitors killed the ball. Scott Sneddon’s effort on goal was well short though. A charge through the middle by Watts saw the home defence fail to roll away after the tackle. James Dixon converted the resultant penalty.
Strong work by Sam Lewis and Huw Alford sparked an attack for Swansea with Phillip Tucker breaking through a tackle only for the supporting Steffan Jones to lose the ball forward. A half break by Tucker set up an attacking platform for the visitors from which Watts brushed off weak Wanderers’ tackles to finish clinically in the corner. Dixon failed to convert.
A clever switch of play by Sneddon caught Swansea unaware but the ball beat the chasing Robin Lock into touch. A superb counterattack orchestrated by Dirksen saw the full back cheekily hand off a defender but the ball eventually ran loose and the move broke down.
Good work in the tight by Andrew Joy, Dixon and Alford set up an overlap out wide for Leigh Bevan to score. Dixon’s conversion sailed wide of the post. Luke Jones stole lineout ball and sent Watts on a run but the supporting Dirksen lost the ball forward. Swansea had the final say in the first half after Roy Jones secured turnover ball to allow Steffan Jones to steamroller through the defence and send Luke Jones over in the corner. Dixon converted.
Half time:- Glamorgan Wanderers 0 Swansea 20
Nine minutes into the second half the Whites extended their lead courtesy of a Dixon penalty after offside in midfield. A high tackle by Dirksen allowed Sneddon to chip deep into the corner. From the lineout replacement Ieuan Davies was held up just short of the line before Swansea were awarded a relieving penalty.
A drive upfield by Scott Baldwin sent Dirksen on a run down the wing but the supporting forwards were penalised for diving over the top. Moments later flanker Ben Rose was sent to the sidelines for 10 minutes after killing a Swansea attack.
The visitors secured a bonus point after a superb break by Adrian Thomas and skilful handling by replacement Damian Karauna sent Rhodri Wells in for a try. Dixon missed the conversion. Wanderers hit back with a try from substitute Charlie Johnson after a long period of pressure on the Whites’ line. Sneddon converted. The home side salvaged more pride with an injury time try by Fish when he picked up loose possession inside his own half and raced clear of the Whites’ defence to score in the corner. Sneddon failed to convert.
The win takes Swansea back up a place to third in the Premiership while Glamorgan Wanderers remain in eighth. The Whites take a break next week – their next match is at Ebbw Vale in a fortnight’s time while the Wanderers visit Bedwas next Saturday.
Full time:- Glamorgan Wanderers 12 Swansea 28
Venue:- Memorial Ground, Ely
Weather:- Cloudy, 15C
Competition:- Principality Premiership
Referee:- Leighton Hodges
Glamorgan Wanderers scorers:- Johnson (Try), Sneddon (Con), Fish (Try)
Swansea scorers:- Dixon (2 Pens, Con), Watts (Try), Bevan (Try), L Jones (Try), Wells (Try)
Man of the Match:- David Watts
Swansea team:- 15 H Dirksen (rep: Rhys Jones) 14 L Bevan 13 A Thomas 12 D Watts (rep: D Karauna) 11 N Jones 10 J Dixon 9 P Tucker (rep: R Wells) 1 Roy Jones (rep: AW Davies) 2 A Joy (rep: S Baldwin) 3 A Clatworthy 4 H Alford 5 S Kiley (rep: P Arnold) 6 L Jones (rep: M Popham) 7 S Lewis 8 S Jones
By Paul Hopkins
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